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Sept. 13, 2006
SAO PAULO, Brazil – Virginia women’s basketball junior Aisha Mohammed (Lagos, Nigeria) scored five points for Nigeria as the Lady Tigers fell to Russia, 84-50, in the opening round of the 2006 World Championships on Tuesday.
The forward also contributed a team-high four rebounds in 10 minutes of action. Teammate Mfon Sunday Udoka paced the Lady Tigers with 13 points, while Enjoli Izidor added 11 points.
Tonight (Wednesday) Nigeria will face the United States, which won its opener, 119-72, over China.
“I think we gave them a hard time in the first 20 minutes. But then we lost control of the game,” said Kevin Cook, Nigeria’s head coach and an assistant coach with the WNBA’s Houston Comets. “I hope we can learn from this and try to improve our game so that maybe someday we’ll be able to play in equal conditions against these teams during the 40 minutes. Russia did a very good job; they’re really prepared for this competition.”
“First match is always a tough one, but still we managed to win,” said Igor Grudin, Russia’s head coach. “I think we can grow through the competition, and I hope we can do a better job on our next match. It’s going to be a hard one, but I’m optimistic.”
The15th FIBA World Championship format feature a round-robin competition in preliminary round play. The top three teams from each preliminary group advance to form two second round groups consisting of six teams each. Each team’s results against advancing teams from its preliminary group carries over to the second round standings, and each team will play the other three teams in the second round group whom they have not faced previously. The top four teams from those two groups will advance to the medal round quarterfinals. The gold and bronze medal games will be played Sept. 23.
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Mfon Sunday Udoka led Nigeria with 13 points against Russia.
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2006 FIBA World Championship for Women
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Preliminary Round Schedule/Results
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Spain 87, Korea 57France 62, Czech Republic 58Brazil 71, Argentina 69Russia 84, Nigeria 50Cuba 75, Chinese Taipei 70Canada 65, Senegal 64USA 119, China 72Australia 2, Lithuania 0
Wednesday, Sept. 13Spain vs. ArgentinaChinese Taipei vs. FranceBrazil vs. KoreaChina vs. RussiaCanada vs. LithuaniaCzech Republic vs. CubaAustralia vs. SenegalNigeria vs. USA
Thursday, Sept. 14Korea vs. ArgentinaChinese Taipei vs. Czech RepublicBrazil vs. SpainFrance vs. CubaLithuania vs. SenegalUSA vs. RussiaCanada vs. AustraliaNigeria vs. China
STANDINGS
Team Pct. W L Pts.For Pts.Ag
Group A1. Spain 100.0 1 0 87 572. Brazil 100.0 1 0 71 693. Argentina 0.0 0 1 69 714. Korea 0.0 0 1 57 87
Group B1. Canada 100.0 1 0 65 642. Australia 100.0 1 0 2 03. Senegal 0.0 0 1 64 654. Lithuania 0.0 0 1 0 2
Group C1. Russia 100.0 1 0 84 502. USA 100.0 1 0 119 723. China 0.0 0 1 72 1194. Nigeria 0.0 0 1 50 84
Group D1. Cuba 100.0 1 0 75 702. France 100.0 1 0 62 583. Czech Rep. 0.0 0 1 58 624. Chi. Taipei 0.0 0 1 70 75